Have you ever heard of the Devil’s Bridge? Legends and mystery right in the heart of Torcello: a bridge without a parapet that seems almost suspended in thin air!
Thereare many stories circulating about the birth of this bridge, but one thing is certain: a suspended aura in this place magnetically captures its visitors.
Are you curious to know the story behind this magical place in Torcello? Read on to learn about the legend of the bridge and its history!
Wait! Before you go any further, let me advise you on the importance of reserving your own organized tour: explore the lagoon without stress and with plenty of benefits, including Torcello and its fascinating Devil’s Bridge!
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Where is the Devil’s Bridge and how to reach it
Vaporetto arrival point in Torcello | ID 162290912 @ Pp1 | Dreamstime.com
The Devil’s Bridge is an arched bridge built of brick, thought to date back to the 15th century. It is situated in a very central location: in the heart of the island of Torcello!
It overlooks the Canale Maggiore, the one that runs along the most important street in Torcello, that is, the street on which you will find the main local restaurants and which leads up to the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta: Fondamenta dei Borgognoni.
It connects, thus, the historic center of Torcello with the lagoon and is one of the two bridges on the island. It is characterized by the absence of a parapet and has the features of ancient Venetian bridges.
The legend of the Devil’s Bridge
Thereare many stories and legends born around this bridge, probably because of the magical atmosphere in its presence.
There are two most credited legends, and in both there is the hand of the devil: it is to these stories that the bridge owes its name.
The first tells of a young Venetian girl who fell in love with an Austrian officer during the invasion and was opposed by her family.
Upon hearing the news of the man’s death, the woman refused to eat because of grief until a friend of the family intervened to save her by asking a witch for help.
The latter made a pact with the Devil in which she would offer the souls of 7 Christian children who died prematurely in exchange for the girl’s impossible love.
However, at the bridge rendezvous scheduled for Dec. 24, the witch did not show up, rumored to have died at the hands of those who wanted to save the souls of the little ones.
Thus, the devil remained cheated having kept his word: every December 24, therefore, he is said to appear on the bridge in the guise of a black cat still waiting for his tribute!
Torcello Devil’s Bridge | ID 104968233 @ 18042011e | Dreamstime.com
A second legend, however, says that this bridge collapsed three times causing despondency among the citizens of Torcello who were unable to make use of it.
The devil made them a proposal: he would build the bridge himself in exchange for the soul of the first man to cross it.
Legend has it that the bridge almost seems to attract visitors to itself, endowed with a strange magnetic energy, precisely because it was the devil who built it.
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The real history of the bridge: construction and architecture
Front view of the Devil’s Bridge | ID 45177770 @ Franco Nadalin | Dreamstime.com
Obviously, what you have read are legends, however the bridge really has very special features.
First of all, fueling the legends is the fact that it totally lacks a parapet, which is quite unusual in typical constructions although it harkens back to ancient, typically Venetian practices.
The legends, however, rest on some real facts: for example, the second story about a bridge that collapsed several times actually relates to a real news story related to the Devil’s Bridge.
This construction, in fact, although dating back to the 15th century, is grafted onto pre-existing foundations that can be dated to the 13th century.
Moreover, according to some rumors spread over the centuries, “Diavoli” was actually the surname of an important Venetian family that is thought to have commissioned the construction of the bridge.
there is a bridge very similar to this one in Torcello and it is the Ponte Chiodo in Cannaregio, on the Rio di San Felice in Venice.
This is because it harks back to the ancient Venetian bridges characterized by precisely those types of steps and, most importantly, the lack of a parapet.
Frequently asked questions
It is so named because many legends have arisen about the construction of this bridge. All the stories about it contemplate the presence of the Devil from whom the bridge therefore got its name. However, according to some it derives from the name of the family that commissioned its construction.
The island of Torcello is most famous for the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta; however, there are many other attractions such as the Church of Santa Fosca, the Devil’s Bridge or Attila’s Throne. In addition, it is highly valued for its very peaceful atmosphere and for being an island that lives in contact with nature.
Several devil bridges exist in Italy: in Lucca, in Cividale del Friuli, on the Trebbia River in Bobbio, in Lanzo Torinese in addition to the one in Torcello. There are also some in other parts of Europe.
Legend has it that during the 5th century AD. Attila sat on this stone throne located in Torcello during his invasions of Italy. However, these legends are without historical basis, so it is unlikely that the Hun king actually used this seat.
Conclusions
Here we are at the end of this in-depth article on Torcello’s fascinating Devil’s Bridge: a place that knows how to leave every one of its visitors breathless!
We have discovered together the legends related to the Torcello bridge and you could find out how it is made and what are its peculiarities, for example that it has no parapet.
You were also able to read the real history of the bridge and now you know that it dates back to the 15th century. Finally, I answered the most common questions about Torcello.
Will you dare to cross the Devil’s Bridge or does the legend scare you? What do you think about these stories? Let me know with a comment!
Come and visit the wonderful Torcello, an oasis of serenity, of peace where nature and architecture come together in a unique and evocative atmosphere: book your tour that includes Torcello so you can admire the wonderful Devil’s Bridge.
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